Gillette Fusion Power Razor

[mb]

When I first heard about the Fusion razor, I was excited. 5 blades? How pointlessly cool! Anyway, I'll get right down to it:

Not since I was a kid has my skin *EVER* been so smooth after shaving with the Fusion power razor!

BUT! It came at a price, both in dollars spent and in comfort. Gillete claims the 5 blades are "spaced closer together to help reduce pressure - for less irritation and more comfort." Bullsh*t I say! I can't even remember the last time I've gotten razor bumps & burn from shaving.. probably when I was a young teen (I am now 22). Even then, I don't think it was as bad as the Fusion caused. Luckily, with the help of my Nivea aftershave, they have pretty much disappeard in the last 20 minutes since I finished shaving. I did not have any cuts from the Fusion.
I can only hope that this is because my skin needs to adjust to the new razor. I know that at least with electric razors, the manuals usually say it can take a month for the skin to get used to it..
Obviously, the money spent on the razor and its blades come into question. You can probably find the razor itself for fairly cheap, but it will cost roughly $27 for 8 cartridges, 35% more than the cost of the M3 Power cartridges, and about 65% more than the M3 Turbo cartridges. So is it worth the extra price? No.

Other notes: I was impressed at how easy it was to clear the blades off with just running water. When I tried the Shick Quattro in the past, that thing was a nightmare to get the hair out of. I was thinking the Fusion would be even harder, but it was as easy as the normal Mach3.
The single blade on the back is quite useful for trimming the hair right below my nose, above my lip.

*************Update*************
Not that anyone seems to have cared, but I did promise to update and I never did. I thought it was unfair to continue reviewing it so soon since my face obvoiusly hadn't adjusted to it yet.
After shaving with the Fusion Power several times now, I can say that it is an excellent razor - probably the best multiblade there is. With the help of the Gillette Hydra gel, I no longer get anymore razor burn or bumps, and my face is extremely smooth. With refill cartridges cheapily available on ebay in bulk, I am officially retiring my M3 Power.

 

[torpid]

So you got a close shave but lots of irritation? That does not sound good to me. What sort of shaving cream do you use? Do you wet your face before applying the shaving cream?

 

[ggnl]

Originally posted by: supafly

Obviously, the money spent on the razor and its blades come into question. You can probably find the razor itself for fairly cheap, but it will cost roughly $27 for 8 cartridges, 35% more than the cost of the M3 Power cartridges, and about 65% more than the M3 Turbo cartridges. So is it worth the extra price? No.

Dayum! The cost alone is enough to keep me from using it.

 

[mb]

Originally posted by: torpid
So you got a close shave but lots of irritation? That does not sound good to me. What sort of shaving cream do you use? Do you wet your face before applying the shaving cream?

Exactly. Closer, but irritating.. so really not worth it especially at the high price. I use Edge sensitive skin shaving gel.. been using it for years now and I really like it.

I took a hot shower before shaving and splashed my face with warm water for a while before shaving. I also wash with Cetaphil before shaving, too.

 

[Zontor]

I picked one up for $8 (the one that takes the battery) and got a free can of the Fusion Hydra-Gel Ultra Sensitive shaving cream.

My take? The razor vibrates when turned on and in combination with the Gel - my face gets numb. It does give a good shave but it won't be worth buying the cartridges.

Notes:
1] As mentioned it cleans off very easily.
2] A little of the Gel goes a long way - it is the best shaving cream I've used though.
3] Not sure that the vibration helps the shave much.

My hair likes to curl so I'm prone to ingrone hairs with a lousy shave.

I've been thinking about going to a DE razor to see if it works any better. 'Course after reading the article and pricing the initial investment I could buy a *lot* of cartridge replacements....

 

[ggnl]

Originally posted by: Zontor
I picked one up for $8 (the one that takes the battery) and got a free can of the Fusion Hydra-Gel Ultra Sensitive shaving cream.

My take? The razor vibrates when turned on and in combination with the Gel - my face gets numb. It does give a good shave but it won't be worth buying the cartridges.

Notes:
1] As mentioned it cleans off very easily.
2] A little of the Gel goes a long way - it is the best shaving cream I've used though.
3] Not sure that the vibration helps the shave much.

My hair likes to curl so I'm prone to ingrone hairs with a lousy shave.

I've been thinking about going to a DE razor to see if it works any better. 'Course after reading the article and pricing the initial investment I could buy a *lot* of cartridge replacements....

Double-edge razors scare me. A lot.

 

[AMDZen]

They have an actual Fusion shaving gel too that your supposed to use with the razor. Friend says that the irritation was gone after using it, and that its no more expensive then most shaving gel's.

As for the cost of the razor, yes its expensive - but from the people I know who have used it, they have nothing but great things to say. Pay more = Get more (according to them)

 

[Sureshot324]

I'm happy with my regular mach 3. The blades don't last very long (maybe 3-4 shaves for me) but i get a close and comfortable shave. Don't see much point in getting something more expensive.

 

[AMDZen]

Originally posted by: Sureshot324
I'm happy with my regular mach 3. The blades don't last very long (maybe 3-4 shaves for me) but i get a close and comfortable shave. Don't see much point in getting something more expensive.

Are you fvcking kidding? A Mach3 blade lasts you 3-4 shaves?

One blade lasts me a month if I shave daily, which I don't anymore

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Originally posted by: AMDZen

Originally posted by: Sureshot324
I'm happy with my regular mach 3. The blades don't last very long (maybe 3-4 shaves for me) but i get a close and comfortable shave. Don't see much point in getting something more expensive.

Are you fvcking kidding? A Mach3 blade lasts you 3-4 shaves?

One blade lasts me a month if I shave daily, which I don't anymore

uhhh that's one nasty blade in the end. i shave bi-weekly and a blade gets me by 2 months?

 

[torpid]

3-4 shaves is about when it starts to begin degrading in shaving quality. I usually go 5-7 and by 7 it's pushing my luck. The neck is where it's really noticeable.

I do not shave daily, though. I don't know how that would impact the blades. I shave every other day or every 3rd day.

 

[AMDZen]

Originally posted by: DLeRium

Originally posted by: AMDZen

Originally posted by: Sureshot324
I'm happy with my regular mach 3. The blades don't last very long (maybe 3-4 shaves for me) but i get a close and comfortable shave. Don't see much point in getting something more expensive.

Are you fvcking kidding? A Mach3 blade lasts you 3-4 shaves?

One blade lasts me a month if I shave daily, which I don't anymore

uhhh that's one nasty blade in the end. i shave bi-weekly and a blade gets me by 2 months?

Now I shave about the same, bi-weekly - but a blade lasts at least 3 months maybe 4.

Maybe your "stub" is just stronger then mine or something. My beard isn't very "thick"

 

[Injury]

Originally posted by: DLeRium

Originally posted by: AMDZen

Originally posted by: Sureshot324
I'm happy with my regular mach 3. The blades don't last very long (maybe 3-4 shaves for me) but i get a close and comfortable shave. Don't see much point in getting something more expensive.

Are you fvcking kidding? A Mach3 blade lasts you 3-4 shaves?

One blade lasts me a month if I shave daily, which I don't anymore

uhhh that's one nasty blade in the end. i shave bi-weekly and a blade gets me by 2 months?

Either you guys that let them go only a few shaves are in high school and don't have to shave every day, or you're f'ing rich. If I was going through a blade a week I'd stop shaving altogether. I shave about 3-4 times a week and I let them go a month, comfortably. Either you guys have faces of pure granite and it tears up the blades, or you have really sissy faces that can't take a roughness from a slightly worn blade.

 

[torpid]

There's a difference between being able to take it and wanting to take it. If I want a rough shave to save money, I'll use electric, not a 5 week old mach 3 razor. It would be significantly cheaper. Instead I want a shave that isn't rough and isn't likely to irritate portions of my neck. And therefore 5-7 shaves is my tolerable limit.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Originally posted by: Injury

Originally posted by: DLeRium

Originally posted by: AMDZen

Originally posted by: Sureshot324
I'm happy with my regular mach 3. The blades don't last very long (maybe 3-4 shaves for me) but i get a close and comfortable shave. Don't see much point in getting something more expensive.

Are you fvcking kidding? A Mach3 blade lasts you 3-4 shaves?

One blade lasts me a month if I shave daily, which I don't anymore

uhhh that's one nasty blade in the end. i shave bi-weekly and a blade gets me by 2 months?

Either you guys that let them go only a few shaves are in high school and don't have to shave every day, or you're f'ing rich. If I was going through a blade a week I'd stop shaving altogether. I shave about 3-4 times a week and I let them go a month, comfortably. Either you guys have faces of pure granite and it tears up the blades, or you have really sissy faces that can't take a roughness from a slightly worn blade.

If you read my post, bi-weekly => 2 months is pretty much as the same as 3 - 4 times a week => 1 month.

It's the fellow who throws away his blade after 3 - 4 shaves that's majorly wasting cartridges. You can eaisly notice that the blades dont cut as well after a while. Sure I can take a worn blade, but they're just not as good. I don't go through blades that fast, and so if I feel like switching, why not?

 

[Kadarin]

Fusion powered razor? I have this mental image of a razor connected to a tokamak...

 

[Carbo]

Using the Gillette Mach 3 Turbo, I get 3-4 shaves from a blade. That's it. If I try and push it, the irritation and discomfort is very noticeable.

 

[TheNinja]

I use the Gillett Sensor (sometimes with the Excel blades). I shave almost everyday and can last EASILY a month with a blade. But I am probably much tougher than a lot of you and a dull blade that literally rips the hairs out instead of cutting them, does not hurt me.

 

[Sureshot324]

Originally posted by: DLeRium

Originally posted by: Injury

Originally posted by: DLeRium

Originally posted by: AMDZen

Originally posted by: Sureshot324
I'm happy with my regular mach 3. The blades don't last very long (maybe 3-4 shaves for me) but i get a close and comfortable shave. Don't see much point in getting something more expensive.

Are you fvcking kidding? A Mach3 blade lasts you 3-4 shaves?

One blade lasts me a month if I shave daily, which I don't anymore

uhhh that's one nasty blade in the end. i shave bi-weekly and a blade gets me by 2 months?

Either you guys that let them go only a few shaves are in high school and don't have to shave every day, or you're f'ing rich. If I was going through a blade a week I'd stop shaving altogether. I shave about 3-4 times a week and I let them go a month, comfortably. Either you guys have faces of pure granite and it tears up the blades, or you have really sissy faces that can't take a roughness from a slightly worn blade.

If you read my post, bi-weekly => 2 months is pretty much as the same as 3 - 4 times a week => 1 month.

It's the fellow who throws away his blade after 3 - 4 shaves that's majorly wasting cartridges. You can eaisly notice that the blades dont cut as well after a while. Sure I can take a worn blade, but they're just not as good. I don't go through blades that fast, and so if I feel like switching, why not?

I have very thick course facial hair and i only shave every 3-4 days, so each shave is very hard on the blade. After about 3 shaves the blade is very noticably worn. It's not really that expensive, since i only shave twice a week, a blade lasts 2 weeks, so an 8 pack will last 4 months. Not bad for $20 or whatever they cost.

 

[0roo0roo]

not gonna bother until the price drops. probably when they come out with their 10 blade razor more gimmics to increase the price..gotta love it. i do like the mach 3 more than the schick 4 blade..that thing sucked

 

[Rudee]

The price is robbery. Won't even consider it unless price drops by half.

 

[Carbo]

Originally posted by: TheNinja
I use the Gillett Sensor (sometimes with the Excel blades). I shave almost everyday and can last EASILY a month with a blade. But I am probably much tougher than a lot of you and a dull blade that literally rips the hairs out instead of cutting them, does not hurt me.

That's why you are TheNinja.

 

[DVK916]

Originally posted by: torpid
So you got a close shave but lots of irritation? That does not sound good to me. What sort of shaving cream do you use? Do you wet your face before applying the shaving cream?

What is the point of shaving cream. I never use shaving cream. I use the Schick Quattro Power, and I only change catriges once ever other month. I shave bi monthly though.

 

[bozack]

Originally posted by: supafly
When I first heard about the Fusion razor, I was excited. 5 blades? How pointlessly cool! Anyway, I'll get right down to it:

Not since I was a kid has my skin *EVER* been so smooth after shaving with the Fusion power razor!

BUT! It came at a price, both in dollars spent and in comfort. Gillete claims the 5 blades are "spaced closer together to help reduce pressure - for less irritation and more comfort." Bullsh*t I say! I can't even remember the last time I've gotten razor bumps & burn from shaving.. probably when I was a young teen (I am now 22). Even then, I don't think it was as bad as the Fusion caused. Luckily, with the help of my Nivea aftershave, they have pretty much disappeard in the last 20 minutes since I finished shaving. I did not have any cuts from the Fusion.
I can only hope that this is because my skin needs to adjust to the new razor. I know that at least with electric razors, the manuals usually say it can take a month for the skin to get used to it..
Obviously, the money spent on the razor and its blades come into question. You can probably find the razor itself for fairly cheap, but it will cost roughly $27 for 8 cartridges, 35% more than the cost of the M3 Power cartridges, and about 65% more than the M3 Turbo cartridges. So is it worth the extra price? No.

Other notes: I was impressed at how easy it was to clear the blades off with just running water. When I tried the Shick Quattro in the past, that thing was a nightmare to get the hair out of. I was thinking the Fusion would be even harder, but it was as easy as the normal Mach3.
The single blade on the back is quite useful for trimming the hair right below my nose, above my lip.

I look forward to trying a Merkur razor.. there has been a lot of talk about them recently.

Hello Supafly,

I have read soemwhat of the opposite on some of the sites I have visited dealing with razors and shaving. Many complain the Fusion is cumbersome at best and gives no better shave than the Mach 3. They did comment that there was skin irritation as you noted however it was also mentioned that the trimmer in the back was near useless.

I personally just switched from a Mach 3 to a Merkur classic heavy duty double edge, takes a little longer to shave in the morning and one has to be more careful however I find that I get a better shave, and while you do change blades once every week they are only $3 for a 10 pack if you get them at walgreens or $4 if you order them online which is comparably much cheaper than the $40 I was paying for Mach 3 turbos.

If you really want a Merkur then check out either www.classicshaving.com or www.shavemyface.com....

 

[bozack]

Originally posted by: ggnl

Double-edge razors scare me. A lot.

They did for me as well however once you get it in your hand and look at how it works you will realize that it isn't any different really than a cartridge razor...it just looks intimidating when you put the blade in as you see the whole blade. Once the blade is in barely any of it sticks out, just a little more than a cartridge razor. While I have nicked myself nothing as bad as with my gillette.